Cozumel Cruise Stop - Best Beach Recommendation

Hello,
First Timer to Cozumel. Will be arriving shortly after New years for one day with teenagers.

Looking for great white sand, safe, snorkel beach with something underwater to see preferably with chairs/umbrellas and a place (beach shack or better) to get grilled food/drinks.

Does anything fit the bill? If so, what is the best way to get there and back? Taxi? Will taxis be there for the return or will they wait.

Thanks for the help

Of course. The ship will offer several overpriced excursions. Safe, easy.

Alternative...
We've rented a car right at the shore side of the old pier. Turn right and drive around the island stopping at several beach and beach bar locations. Spend 3-+ hours and still time to shop or stop at Sr Frogs or Carlos & Charlie's. Lots of fun, and way cheaper than a cruise excursion! Avis , budget, etc.

You may know this already, but keep in mind that the calm waters are on the west side of the island; the beaches and ocean are fantastic on the east side but usually the water is too rough for safe snorkeling. Great beach bars, though, at the south end and at the north end where the road turns to go back across the island. Mexcalito's???

For a day at the beach Mr Sanchos beach club is a good bet , The cruise ships probably offer it as an excursion but just as easy(and considerably cheaper) to grab a cab at the pier , its about 15 min south on the west side of the island. White sand beach, bar , restaurant, beach toys,pool,lounge chairs. Reasonable prices. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Rent a car. You cannot get lost on Cozumel. Stop at the beach that looks good to you. We prefer the east coast beaches. More beautiful (can be a little rough) but not crowded. Great beach bars there also. Better snorkeling on the west cost but overly crowded.

I would recommend that you use a taxi and go to the Money Bar - you can google the money bar - it gets great reviews and from what you say, it seems to fit the bill very well. It is pretty close to pier. There is absolutely no need to do a ship excusion for what it appears you want or most anything on Coz for that matter. The taxis are fairly cheap - unless you know what you want to see/do around the island and really want to drive, I do not think it makes sense to rent a car and if you do, then you cannot drink and you really cannot enjoy the sights very well as you are driving. You probably can find current taxi prices on cruise critic - which you should also check out for the roll call possibilities if you have not already. If you want to get some history and more of a sense of the place as a Mayan place, but still want the beach, the restuarant, and the easy snorkeling, then I would recommend Chankannab - which you can google and get info and a coupon, I think. Whatever you decide, try to be one of first off ship and get to where you are going to stake your claim to where to hand out. On days with losts of ships, any place on Coz can get crowded.

This place has nice beach, hammocks, pool and dolphins.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Re..._Peninsula.html

Thanks all for the info. I'm changing my plans a bit and will start a new thread to find easy/cheap way to see Mayan Ruins a t Tulum and still have a good beach visit.

2X on the Money Bar!! Close to the cruise ship piers, very nice snorkelling and calm. Food is delicious and service is friendly and safe. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

Good to hear that people like Money Bar - we're heading there on our Carnival Dream cruise in October!

By taxi-Look at Paradise Beach, then money bar

Rent a car and see all above plus lighthouse,Punta Sur Beach and visit beaches on east side. This is my suggestion.

Next to pier,
Port Royal has chairs, pool,small sandy beach, and all food and drinks for around $40-too much for me but friends last week had a great time.

Glad to hear Money Bar recommended! Heading there on Monday!

How was the Money Bar? As I was one of many who suggested it, your feedback would be appreciated. I trust you had a great trip and Thanks.

Really enjoyed it - very nice staff - snorkeling right off their beach/pier - good margaritas, nice chairs to lounge in - easy to get to from the cruise ship pier too - just a few minutes via cab!

Of course...Belize and Roatan blew everything away for us...LOL...just amazing there....

We stayed at the Park Royal while in Cozumel and the Money Bar was a nice find for us. We have been to Ambergris Caye in Belize and while the snorkeling is great, you have to have a boat or kayak to reach the sites. Please expound on Roatan, if you would. Thanks, Mike.